he Bedfordshire County Football League will officially open its door to the 2015-16 season this coming Saturday with the staging of the delayed 2014-15 season Watson Shield Cup Final at the Hitchin Road complex home of Shefford Town & Campton between Atletico Europa and Cranfield United Reserves. Kick off being at 3pm. The 2014-15 league action between the two sides saw both teams win on their opponents ground. United winning at Europa 5-1 in early September before revenge was gaining in late April when Europa won 2-1 at Crawley Road too spoil United's seasons unbeaten home record just days after they had collected the Division Three league title.

The commencement of the 2015-16 season league action then comes four days later on Wednesday 2nd September with a programme of eight games in the Premier Division supported by Sportsform section. 50% of the games kicking off at 6.15pm and the other 50% taking place under floodlights with a 7.30pm kick off.

In those earlier games Renhold United with begin the defence of their league title with a visit to Harvey Close to face nine times league winners Caldecote who under the new managership of Dave Elkins will be hoping to at least keep away from the lower regions of the league table where they have spent the past two seasons since landing the 2012-13 season title. Also in early action just two miles down the road on the Green will be Ickwell & Old Warden who are paid a visit from Wilstead. With the boys from the Green having already this pre-season landed the Jesse Piggott Trophy under new boss player-manger Dean Hamilton the odds of them landing their first title win since season 1991-92 are reducing with the pasting of each day.

For newly promoted Elstow Abbey its home action at the Warren against Sandy who this season will be managed by ex England Schoolboy International and Hitchin Town icon Jon Bone following the summer departure of Barry Morris to Shefford Town & Campton. Whilst the fourth 6.15pm kick off sees two of the likely championship front runners clash at Church Lane, the venue at which 2013-14 season champions AFC Oakley M&DH play hosts to Marston Shelton Rovers.

In the games under floodlights the stand out fixture come at Hillgrounds, the home of last seasons fourth place AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College who receive a visit from last seasons silver medalists Flitwick Town. However, many eyes will be on the clash at Woburn Road where league newcomers Ampthill Town Reserves will be playing hosts to Shefford Town & Campton. Meantime over at Crawley Road last seasons Division One supported by Wests Citroen Bedford champions Cranfield United start life back in the top section with a visit from Sharnbrook.

The final game of the evening coming at Weston Park the new home of Eastcotts AFC for at least the next two seasons who play hosts to the visiting Pavenham.

Following this action all five divisions of the league engage for battle 72 hours later on Saturday 5th September 2015.